Water polo goals are also called cages. They come in a variety of styles that fit with how pool owners use and manage their spaces. You can get a water polo goal in a floating, wall or recreational design.
When evaluating whether to go with a portable versus fixed option, consider how your patrons use your pool, as well as the time it takes to prepare for a water polo match.
We help you break down the options by weighing the pros and cons of each option on the way to the most functional facility that attracts broad talent.
Portable vs. Fixed Water Polo Goal options
Let’s dive into the water polo goal options with in-depth explanations on each one.
1. Floating, Portable Goals
As the name indicates, floating goals sit on top of the water’s surface. But don’t worry, they won’t be impacting the fairness of matches at your pool by moving around too much. They anchor to your pool’s side using cords and lane lines.
Most competitions use floating goals, though you’ll want to be sure that the ones you select meet the specifications for the governing body of water polo: World Aquatics.
Floating Water Polo Goal Pros
- Easy to install and remove as needed
- Common in the water polo competitive landscape
- Keeps your pool flexible for a variety of use cases
Floating Water Polo Goal Cons
- Cannot be used in pools with a shallow section (shallower than six feet)
- Requires one to three feet of space of anchoring
- Is more time-intensive to prepare for a match
2. Wall, Permanent Goals
To attach this goal to your pool, you’ll need to drill holes in the deck of your pool. These goals work well in more shallow pools. They also allow for a larger field of play because they attach close to the walls instead of allowing space for cords and lane lines, meaning they can enable smaller pools to serve as a water polo location.
Wall goals are also more diverse in sizes, which is good for pools where the goalie can stand in more shallow water on one side, requiring a taller goal versus the other side where it is deeper and the goalie must tread water, requiring a shorter goal.
These goals are sturdy, being made from heavy-duty materials (often metal), which ensures they stay where you place them. This makes them exceedingly durable for pools that plan to serve as a water polo location long-term.
Wall Water Polo Goal Pros
- Works with smaller pools by maximizing space
- Makes pools with varying depths an option for water polo matches
- Speeds up the process of preparing for a water polo match
- Sturdy for long-term use and durability
Wall Water Polo Goal Cons
- Fixed element of your pool, making it less diverse for other use cases
- Requires more time-intensive staff support to remove and reinstall when using the pool for other use cases
- Is a significant investment in your pool as a water polo match location
3. Recreational, Portable Goals
If you don’t plan to host a competitive match, you can get recreational goals that allow for practices, rec leagues or other use cases that are just for fun. While you won’t be able to attract official matches, you’ll still be a pool that people target for gatherings and casual fun.
Plus, these more affordable water polo goals can be a good way to test whether there is demand in your area for a pool with water polo goals.
Young players can also benefit from these lightweight designs. Your staff will like them because they are simple to move.
Recreational Water Polo Goal Pros
- Less expensive compared to options designed for competition
- Ideal to test demand in your area for water polo competition
- Can be a draw for parties and recreational gatherings
Recreational Water Polo Goal Cons
- Cannot be used for water polo competitions
- Does not meet World Aquatics requirements
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